Who loves Moss Stitch? We all love Moss Stitch! It is one of the most beautiful crochet stitches and, best of all, it is super easy to work up and gives a gorgeous knitted look to your project. The other day, I was making my umpteenth Moss Stitch blanket and decided to experiment a little using Half Double Crochet (US terms) to see if it was any good. Boy oh boy, was it. I was not sure if I had seen it around before, so I gave it a quick Google search and couldn’t find it anywhere. I looked on Pinterest and still found nothing, and my knowledgeable friends on Instagram drew a blank too.
Sadly, I hadn’t discovered a brand new stitch, but rather named a technique that was previously languishing in obscurity. To keep things practical, I called it the “Half Double Moss Stitch” so it is easy to find.
There is something truly wonderful about finding a crochet stitch that strikes the absolute best balance between gorgeous texture and meditative, rhythmic creation. If you are looking for a stitch that works up with a lovely drape, offers a neat and modern finish, and avoids the stiffness that sometimes comes with denser crochet fabrics, you are going to fall completely in love with the half double crochet moss stitch. It has recently seen a surge in visitors over on the blog, and it is easy to see why. Whether you are dreaming up a cozy blanket, a lightweight scarf, or a textured market bag, this stitch creates a fabric that is both structurally sound and delightfully squishy.
Table of Contents
What Does the HDC Moss Stitch Look Like?
When you work up the half double crochet moss stitch, the visual result is a marvel of subtle, woven elegance. Unlike traditional rows that stack directly on top of one another, the technique of working into the chain spaces from the previous row creates a beautiful, staggered brick-like effect. The texture is flat yet has a lot of depth, featuring a delicate moss-like grain that looks sophisticated without being overly fussy. Because it uses half double crochets combined with chain stitches, it has a softer, more pliable drape than a standard moss stitch made with single crochets, making your finished pieces feel fluid and comfortable to wear or use. I love it for blankets, cowls and scarves, and it’s so fast to crochet up!
Take a look at this squishy scarf I have made for my sister-in-law to see just how beautiful and snuggly this stitch looks…
HDC Moss Stitch · Half Double Moss Stitch Crochet Tutorial
Introducing the Half Double Moss Stitch Crochet Tutorial! This simple stitch is perfect for light-yet-structured projects (think bags, spring blankets, and summer tops) and is so easy to work up. In this guide, I will explain how to create this amazing crochet stitch, making it a wonderful addition to your stitch library.
If you love free patterns and tutorials, be sure to check out my other crochet projects on the blog!
Why You Will Love the Half Double Moss Stitch
One of the most beautiful things about this stitch is the latticed effect it creates, which lends itself well to cowls, scarves, statement blankets, and even rugs. It looks particularly lush when used with chunky or super chunky yarn, or worked up in a teeny gauge using cotton yarn for dishcloths that really look the business.
Versatile: Fantastic for everything from heavy home decor to lightweight summer garments.
Lattice Texture: Creates a gorgeous woven, knitted aesthetic.
Quick & Fluid: Slightly taller than a standard moss stitch, making projects work up even faster.
Best Yarn Choices for This Stitch
This stitch looks fabulous when worked up using chunky yarn. In the sample photos, you can see a swatch using The Wool by We Are Knitters. Chunky and super chunky yarns highlight the textured lattice wonderfully, but DK weight and cotton yarns are also stellar choices if you are making market bags or lightweight tops.
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Half Double Moss Stitch Crochet Tutorial
Note: Instructions use US/American terminology, worked flat. This stitch is a half double crochet separated by a chain stitch, making it identical to the regular moss stitch except using half double crochet instead of single crochet.
Step-by-Step Instructions
To work the half double crochet moss stitch, you will work with an even number of stitches for your foundation chain.
Here is your complete, ready-to-publish blog post for the updated HDC moss stitch tutorial. It includes the warm introduction, the description of the stitch, the corrected step-by-step instructions in British English, and the full RankMath SEO setup at the end.
How to Crochet the HDC Moss Stitch: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
There is something truly wonderful about finding a crochet stitch that strikes the absolute best balance between gorgeous texture and meditative, rhythmic creation. If you are looking for a stitch that works up with a lovely drape, offers a neat and modern finish, and avoids the stiffness that sometimes comes with denser crochet fabrics, you are going to fall completely in love with the half double crochet moss stitch. It has recently seen a surge in visitors over on the blog, and it is easy to see why. Whether you are dreaming up a cosy blanket, a lightweight scarf, or a textured market bag, this stitch creates a fabric that is both structurally sound and delightfully squishy.
What Does the HDC Moss Stitch Look Like?
When you work up the half double crochet moss stitch, the visual result is a marvel of subtle, woven elegance. Unlike traditional rows that stack directly on top of one another, the technique of working into the chain spaces from the previous row creates a beautiful, staggered brick-like effect. The texture is wonderfully flat yet rich with depth, featuring a delicate moss-like grain that looks sophisticated without being overly fussy. Because it uses half double crochets combined with chain stitches, it has a softer, more pliable drape than a standard moss stitch made with single crochets, making your finished pieces feel fluid and comfortable to wear or use.
Stitches & Abbreviations
Tools & Notions
Written Step-by-Step Instructions
Foundation: Chain an odd number of stitches to your desired width.
Row 1: Work 1 HDC in the 3rd chain from your hook (the skipped chains count as your turning chain). Chain 1, skip the next chain, and work 1 HDC in the following chain. Repeat from * to * across the entire row until you reach the end. Turn your work.
Row 2: Chain 2 (this counts as your first HDC and chain space, or you can use a turning chain according to your preference). Skip the very first HDC and the first chain space, and work 1 HDC directly into the next chain-1 space from the previous row. Chain 1, skip the next HDC, and work 1 HDC into the next chain-1 space. Repeat from * to * across, working your final HDC of the row into the turning chain space from the row below. Turn your work.
Row 3 and Beyond: Repeat Row 2 for as long as you like until your piece reaches your desired length. Fasten off and weave in your ends neatly.
Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial
Learn how to crochet the HDC moss stitch with Emmaknitty’s easy, step-by-step tutorial and create gorgeous textured fabrics today. This stitch is perfect for gorgeously textured blankets, scarves and even garments, plus it works up quickly.
Time: 30 minutes
Foundation Chain
Chain an odd number of stitches to your desired width.
Row 1
Work 1 HDC in the 3rd chain from your hook (the skipped chains count as your turning chain). Chain 1, skip the next chain, and work 1 HDC in the following chain. Repeat across the entire row until you reach the end, then turn your work.
Row 2 – Starting The Next Row
Chain 2 (this counts as your first HDC and chain space, or use a standing stitch according to your preference) and turn.
Row 2: Working Across The Row
Skip the very first HDC and the first chain space, and work 1 HDC directly into the next chain-1 space from the previous row. Chain 1, skip the next HDC, and work 1 HDC into the next chain-1 space. Repeat across, working your final HDC of the row into the turning chain space from the row below, then turn your work.
Row 3 Onwards
Repeat Row 2 for as long as you like until your piece reaches your desired length. Fasten off and weave in your ends neatly.
Frequently Asked Questions About the HDC Moss Stitch
What is the difference between the standard Moss Stitch and the HDC Moss Stitch? The standard Moss Stitch, also known as the granite or linen stitch, is worked using single crochet stitches and chain stitches. The Half Double Crochet Moss Stitch replaces the single crochet with a half double crochet, making the fabric slightly taller, more fluid, and quicker to work up.
Is this stitch beginner-friendly? Yes, absolutely. If you are comfortable chaining and working basic half double crochet stitches, you can easily master this pattern. The hardest part for beginners is simply finding the correct chain space on returning rows, but after two rows, it becomes completely intuitive.
What yarn weight works best for this stitch? Chunky and super chunky yarns look incredible because they highlight the latticed texture, though DK weight and cotton yarns are fantastic for smaller household items and garments.
How do I calculate the foundation chain? To start your project, simply chain any even number of stitches. There are no complicated multiples to memorise, making it very easy to adjust the width.
That’s it! I would love to see your makes using this stitch, so tag your creations with #halfdoublemosstitch and I’ll take a look!
Happy crafting!
The Violeta Scarf · Free Crochet Tutorial – Emmaknitty
January 15, 2020 at 9:52 am[…] the perfect combination between a modern statement scarf and delicate prettiness! Crocheted using Half Double Moss Stitch on a 25mm hook, you can work up this quick and beautiful project in a few hours. You can leave the […]
Jill
July 11, 2021 at 3:33 amLove using this stitch. Your tutorial is fantastic. Thank you!!
Emmaknitty
July 11, 2021 at 7:44 amThanks Jill! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Christine
September 12, 2022 at 10:27 amI am currently making a throw with alternate groupings of sc moss stitch and HDC moss stitch. For some reason I have ridges that form every two rows of the HDC. But, I decided to create a wide border. The HDC in the border does not have the ridges. I’m guessing it is due to the fact I am not turning. Have you discovered this?
Kelly L.
July 26, 2023 at 8:00 amGreat minds think alike! I literally found this post because I did the same thing (except by accident) and was wondering if it had a name, because I knew it was highly unlikely that I of all people had discovered a new stitch, lol. I really love the way it looks so now I’m going to make something with it on purpose!
Emmaknitty
September 21, 2023 at 1:22 pmWow! Amazing! Have fun 😘
Carrie
January 5, 2025 at 3:53 pmI started a scarf for my husband months (years?) ago and I put it down and forgot about it. I went to pick it back up and could not remember what stitch I used! I searched and searched for the pattern or a similar stitch but could not find anything even remotely similar even when I did a google image search. After lots of frogging and trial and error it turns out it was similar to this half double moss stitch but 2 hdc skip one. It works up beautifully! Are you familiar with this?
Emmaknitty
January 6, 2025 at 5:11 pmHello! That sounds like a cluster-y version of this stitch and it must look lovely!
Jonah Perry
August 22, 2025 at 4:09 pmI am excited to try out Half Double Moss Stitch.
Emmaknitty
October 9, 2025 at 7:09 amI hope you had fun!
– Emma